Grand Prix Poster Idea

I was approached by a member of The Grand Prix organization to submit an idea for this year's Grand Prix poster. They usually use an artist who does lots of racing paintings. I figured, why not? I'll give it a try. This year is the Grand Prix's 35th Anniversary. There is no pay for the project, but instead a booth is offered at the Grand Prix exhibit hall, and of course-- really great exposure.

I submitted two rough sketches; acrylic paintings on black presentation board. I've always wanted to paint on a black surface and this seemed fitting for the subject matter.

Unfortunately, another artist was chosen to create this year's poster, but I had fun with this design!

Point Loma Wedding in San Diego

Last weekend I traveled down to San Diego to Point Loma at the Cabrillo National Monument http://www.nps.gov/archive/cabr/lighthouse.html to paint a wedding ceremony taking place on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.



This was the spot as it looked when I arrived an hour and a half before the start of the ceremony. Literally-- a cliff overlooking the ocean, 400 feet below.



Here is the historic lighthouse, which the groom asked me to render with a glow coming from the light, representing their love for one another.




A crowd of several dozen gathered around to witness the exchange of vows.

It was a lovely ceremony in its casual simplicity, decorated with sunflowers-- my favorite!

The reception was held at a private residence, where I finished the painting. With the paint still wet and the flash of my camera, I wasn't able to capture the painting without a glare, but you can get the idea. The bride and groom were very happy with it, which made me very happy!

Pet Portraits

Here are the latest pet portraits I have painted, both were Christmas gifts. Cody, the Samoyed was my Aunt Jeanie's beloved pet, and purple is her favorite color.



And this is Abby, a Rough Coat Jack Russell Terrier puppy, belonging to my son and his girlfriend.

The recipients were absolutely thrilled with their paintings. People just love to see their pets immortalized in a portrait!

Joyeux Noel!

This oil painting I started last year as a study of Michelangelo's Pieta sculpture. I decided to finish it for a family gift exchange and use the image for my digital Christmas card.

This year, instead of a store-bought gift, Aunt Jeanie suggested we each make something. We do the crazy exchange where we all draw numbers and choose a gift accordingly. Each subsequent person can choose a new gift or "steal" someone's.

I originally painted this with my sister, Lisa in mind-- and after several steals she ended up with it!

And may you have a creative, prosperous and happy New Year!

HOLIDAY SALE Paintings

Please note: Prices listed were a 2008 Holiday Special and no longer apply.
If you are interested in any of the following available paintings, please contact me at: info@KarenWallGarrison.com.

Thank you!





Sunflowers in Amber Glass
OIL PASTEL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250


I am drastically reducing the prices on my paintings. I need to move them out of the studio and make room for new work. Maybe you will see something you can give a good home. Although I am listing prices, I am willing to consider all offers.



Many pieces are framed, some are "gallery wrap" canvases with the sides painted. If you wish to purchase a painting without it's frame, I will deduct accordingly.




Here are my Catalina paintings, the first one looking up from Crescent (Front Street) where the famous Marlin Club is located. A little further up is the ice cream & donut shop where I worked during the summer when I was 14. Avalon is an idylic place for a kid to spend the summer!






Catalina Avenue SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X9" SIDES PAINTED $125






Here is the green pier captured just as dusk was turning to night.






Green Pier at Nightfall
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X9" SIDES PAINTED $125

This view of the Casino was painted from the foot of the pier, captured quickly while waiting for my boat.

Casino View Quick Sketch
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS PANEL, 16"X12" FRAMED $150






I painted this small gem during a demonstration I was giving for one of my summer art classes. The kids were painting very enthusiastically and one splattered paint on my peachy background. She became very upset, having "ruined" my work. I decided it was a June Bug and I taught them about "happy accidents." After all-- it was June and there were June Bugs!



June Bug on Stucco SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 10"X8" FRAMED $100

This is Raymundo's Gallery where I exhibited my paintings in the East Village Arts District in Long Beach. Sadly, after many years Raymundo closed his studio. I'm glad I captured this, with one of his Freida Kahlo paintings in the window.




Raymundo's Gallery
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

This is looking up Linden during one of the Art Walks in the East Village, capturing the Fire Dancers performing. I painted rapidly; more interested in the color, mood and energy of the scene, than a realistic portrayal; and in an expressionist manner. This is one of my favorite paintings from last year.

Fire Dancers ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24"X24" PAINTED EDGES $350


Here is a small oil painting I did from a photo as a study using complimentary colors.





Peachy Beach SOLD
OIL ON CANVAS PANEL, 10"X8" UNFRAMED $75

And from my "Van Gogh Reproductions" collection:





Yellow Butterflies (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250




Wheatfields With Sunrise, View from Asylum Window (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" PAINTED SIDES $200



Crows And Wheatfields (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 30"X10" PAINTED SIDES $300



Crows And Wheatfields (after Van Gogh) DETAIL

Three Sunflowers (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 16"X20" FRAMED $250

My Irises Chair, a la Vincent

OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" UNFRAMED $225


From my "Live Events" collection, the next two were painted at the Del Mar Music Festival during the concert performances.

Trio With Bass SOLD

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

George Thorogood SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

This was painted on my friend's back porch while the breeze was causing the hanging blooms to sway, seeming to "spin" the colors.

Spinning Blooms

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" UNFRAMED $225

The Bridal Bouquet below was painted live during a Wedding Show at the Cenntenial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana.

Wedding Bouquet

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X12" UNFRAMED $125

This was painted during the Catalina Art Festival. My friend Silvio Silvestri, a painter whose work I greatly admire, is the subject.

Catalina Art Festival

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250


The New York Skyline was painted live during another art festival this year, held in Irvine. I painted it from a sketch I made on one of my trips to the Big Apple.



Liberty Skyline
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 22"X28" UNFRAMED $275

Thank you for looking and please feel free to contact me if there is anything you are interested in, or want to commission me to paint a custom piece for you.

And may you have safe, sane and serene holidays!

Wedding at Temple B'nai Tikvah in North Brunswick, New Jersey

Last weekend I flew to New Jersey to paint at a wedding in North Brunswick at Temple B'nai Tikvah. The reception was held in a gorgeous ballroom.

This shows the beginnings of the painting, before guests arrive and the room is being set up.

This is my view of the room while it is being transformed into a wedding reception.

Several times the room went dark while they tested the lights. This shows the floral arrangements on the tables and hanging from the ceiling around the dramatic chandelier. During the reception itself, the lighting was bright and colorful.

The bride and groom posed for me before the reception started, which was very helpful. After the festivities began, it was difficult to see the dance floor.

Before the reception, the mother of the bride handed me a list of 22 people she wanted included in the painting. I manged to capture them all-- and then some!

The Making of a Hibiscus

I took this photo from a hibiscus bush in a client's backyard. I've always wanted to paint a large flower, so this became my inspiration. I started with a natural (unbleached) linen canvas. I don't know why-- it just felt right.

Without drawing, I just began painting; using the photo loosely for reference, laying in thin washes of color with acrylic paint (called glazes); allowing the colors underneath to glow through.

I find the hibiscus petals to have a sinous, lyrical quality and I tried to capture the grace and flow with my thin linework. I used my lettering brushes (flat, squared tips) to paint the thin lines.

Next, I began to add the dark areas to the background, and light highlights to the flower. Painting is a process of going from background to foreground, dark to light, back and forth and back again.

I added a golden yellow glaze overall to the background to create a sense of sunlight, as well as emphasize the dark center and petal edges.

Here is the finished painting, with the background darkened even more than the photo, which really makes the hibiscus bloom pop. The shadow cast by the stamen in the center is more prominent-- adding to the sense of dimension.

My client loved it so much, she purchased it for her guest bathroom. I left the sides of the canvas unpainted raw canvas, which matched the paint color on the walls.

It makes a stunning addition, don't you think?